North Korea has long been a mystery country with its own set of governments and laws. Its history has been subject to immense speculation – and for good reason. Despite being a hermit state, North Korea is shrouded in mysteries, including the question of who discovered it.
In its prehistoric state, North Korea was first inhabited by nomadic tribes. The earliest archaeological sites have been dated as early as 7800 BCE. By the 1st century CE, Chinese records started referring to the ancient Kingdoms of Gojoseon, Buyeo and Goguryeo.
Throughout the 1500s and 1600s, North Korea’s development escalated as the region was contested by the three powerful empires of China, Japan and Russia. During this period of strife, three major military expeditions were launched by outside forces – the Manchus, the Japanese, and the Russians.
The Manchus launched an invasion into the Korean Peninsula in 1627 but failed to establish control. The Japanese followed suit in 1637, but suffered a similar fate. This Japanese colonial period was short lived and ended almost a decade later. During the Russians’ first attempt to occupy and control the region, a Korean–Chinese allied force led by the Korean General Yi Sun-sin managed to repel them in 1592.
It wasn’t until 1895 that North Korea was formally recognized as a country. This year was when the Chinese and Japanese governments signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, acknowledging the independence of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea began as a semi-independent ruling family, called the Joseon dynasty, of which Korea is named after. The dynasty maintained some rule and order over the peninsula despite slowly waning support due to their opposition of the growing Japanese imperialism in the region. Japan took over in 1910 and many Koreans left, some of which first traveled to China then entered into the Soviet Union, further increasing the ties between the two countries.
After WWII in 1945, Soviet forces landed in Northern Korea and Korea was then divided between North and South on August 28th of that same year. North Korea became a communist-style state and was officially founded on September 9th, 1948. Despite the country’s complexity and how it has been highly debated, it is believed that the nation was formally discovered by Korean, Chinese and Japanese forces.
How North Korea Has Developed Over Time
In its early days, North Korea was a communist-style state led by Kim Il-sung, the founder and first leader of the country. During his leadership state, he introduced the ‘Juche’ or self-reliance policy, which was intended to make the taxpayers take responsibility for their economy. He also increased public education and developed a modern healthcare system.
Kim Il-sung was in power until he passed away in 1994, leaving his son Kim Jong-il to take his place. Under Kim Jong-il’s rule, North Korea developed a military-first policy to strengthen the government’s hold on power and further isolating the nation from the rest of the world. Kim Jong-il was in power until his death in 2011, leaving his son Kim Jong-un who has since been North Korea’s leader.
Since taking power, Kim Jong-un has been attempting to bring North Korea more in line with modernization by engaging in diplomatic relations with other world leaders, attempting to open up the country to more international investors and easing up restrictions. North Korea is still considered to be a hermit state, however, Kim Jong-un’s recent efforts are slowly but surely bringing more attention and possible support its way.
Foreign Relations and Nuclear Program
In the current modern age, North Korea’s foreign relations have been largely limited to China and Russia. When it comes to economic relations, China has been the biggest trading partner, with the U.S. coming in second, albeit until the U.S. withdrew in 2017.
North Korea has also been recognized for its controversial nuclear program, which is viewed by many as a form of deterrence against any external attack. Initially, relations between the U.S. and North Korea had seemed to progress with a series of agreements and treaties, starting with the Korean War Armistice signed in 1953 and the Agreed Framework in 1994.
However, North Korea has fallen short on a number of commitments, which led to the breakdown of its relationship with the U.S. and other international organizations. North Korea continues to pursue its nuclear ambitions as its government believes it is necessary to guarantee their national security.
Human Rights Violations
North Korea ranks as one of the worst countries when it comes to human rights, ranked last in the press freedom index for 16 years. Reporters Without Borders says that North Koreans are subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment, including torture and execution for criticizing the regime. It is considered a crime in North Korea to defy the government and any type of political dissent is punished severely.
Humanitarian organizations have cited a number of examples such as restricted access to medical care and food, racial discrimination and a lack of freedom of speech and other basic human rights. North Koreans also reportedly suffer from severe deprivation, malnutrition, and are subject to a number of other harsh conditions.
North Koreans have even been sold as slaves in various countries and organizations have reported that the country has an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 political prisoners held in its infamous prison camps.
Impact on International Relations
North Korea’s actions have had a major impact on international relations in the region, particularly with its northern neighbor, South Korea. South Korea’s relationship with North Korea has been strained due to its nuclear weapons program and continuing violation of human rights. South Korea also pursues economic sanctions against North Korea in an attempt to put pressure on the country to meet its obligations.
The United States has also had a tense relationship with North Korea, especially since their withdrawal from the “Agreed Framework” in 2017. Despite ongoing attempts by China to encourage dialogue and negotiation, North Korea continues to confront the international community.
North Korea’s relationships with China, Japan, and Russia have been cordial; however, these relationships have lately become strained due to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and disregard for international sanctions. China, in particular, has been actively trying to influence North Korea by engaging in trade and investment, but their efforts have largely been unsuccessful due to Pyongyang’s refusal to cooperate.
North Korea’s Cultural Aspects
North Korea is home to a rich and fascinating culture which has been heavily influenced by its geography, climate, and its authoritarian government. Music, art, and literature in North Korea have been strongly encouraged, with Kim Jong-un even reportedly commissioning new pieces for the country’s national orchestra.
North Korea is also known for its unique cuisine, most notably the national dish of Kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage). Traditional drinks such as the green tea Junmai, and fruit wines such as the Arak-Soju, are popular spirits enjoyed amongst locals and tourists alike.
In terms of religion, North Korea is officially an atheist state, so religious practices are strongly discouraged. Christians and Buddhists are amongst the few religious groups present in the country and have been subject to harsh persecution and discrimination.
The State of North Korea Today
Despite years of authoritarian rule and economic sanctions, North Korea remains one of the most isolated countries in the world. Today, the U.S. and other international countries have set in place a number of economic and political sanctions against North Korea to try and pressure them into disarming and opening up their borders. However, these strategies have had little success thus far.
It is clear that North Korea’s history of occupation, war and political unrest has had a lasting impact on its population, culture, and its foreign relations. Despite its challenges, North Korea continues to persevere and strive for a more prosperous future for its people.
